Hall of Famer's son to coach in NBL1

NBL1 North's South West Metro Pirates have appointed Patrick Ewing Jr as their men's head coach for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Ewing Jr, son of NBA Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, joined the Pirates last season as lead assistant coach, and holds the role as Player Development coach at the NBL's Brisbane Bullets.

"We are excited to welcome Patrick Ewing Jr. as our head coach," Pirates CEO Chris Angus said.

"His extensive playing background, combined with his coaching experience, makes him the perfect fit for our organisation. Patrick’s passion for the game and commitment to developing young talent will be instrumental in our pursuit of success."

Ewing Jr played NCAA basketball at Georgetown University, where he came full circle and later began his coaching career at Georgetown where he was an assistant coach.

His father, Ewing, is an 11x NBA All Star and played for the New York Knicks from 1985-2000 before ending his career with the Seattle Supersonics and Orlando Magic.

Patrick Ewing arrived in the NBA as the first overall pick in the 1985 draft, carrying the hopes of a struggling New York Knicks franchise. Over the next 15 years, he would transform the team into a perennial playoff contender and establish himself as one of the most dominant big men of his era. Standing at 7 feet tall, Ewing possessed a rare combination of size, athleticism, and skill that made him a force on both ends of the court.

Ewing's impact on the Knicks was immediate. He won Rookie of the Year honours in 1986, averaging 20 points and 9 rebounds per game. As his career progressed, Ewing's game continued to evolve. He developed a reliable mid-range jump shot to complement his powerful inside game, making him nearly unstoppable on offence. Defensively, he was a shot-blocking menace who altered countless attempts at the rim.